MHS winter sports put on show

McPherson High’s winter sports teams were on display Monday night at the Roundhouse, as competition began this week for most sports.

Chris SwickSports Editor

McPherson High’s winter sports teams were on display Monday night at the Roundhouse, as competition began this week for most sports.
The boys’ swimming team, the wrestling team and both basketball teams were introduced during the preview, along with the Hi-Steppers and the MHS cheerleaders. Following the introductions, the basketball teams and the wrestling team put on exhibitions for the fans in attendance.
Swimmers rebuild
The swimming season starts this afternoon with an invitational at Newton High School and coach Bonnie Sue Fisher is faced with the enviable task of having to replace nine seniors from last year’s team. Fisher does return three, including senior Derick Goodson, who Fisher believes should have an amazing year.
“Last year he broke the team record in the 100 Free and was part of two relays that broke records,” she said. “He was fourth last year at state in the 100 Free behind three seniors and has his sights set on golf for this year.”
Goodson has an impressive resume for the Bullpups, having been selected to the Kansas All-American second team last season and, more recently, to the Missouri Valley All-Academic Swim team.
Joining Goodson in returning to the Bullpups are juniors Zane Richter and Kyler Jost.
“(Richter) really came into his own last year and was part of the State 200 Free relay,” Fisher said. “We will be looking for great performances in the 50 Free and the 100 Butterfly, and there is a great possibility of him qualifying for state in both races.”
Jost was new to the team as a sophomore and broke his personal best every time he swam in a meet, according to Fisher.
“He will be very important for our relays and wants to focus on the butterfly this year,” she said. “He is an extremely hard worker who is not just learning how to swim, but also how to win.”
New to the swim team are senior Russell Regehr, junior Ryen Trost and freshman Spencer Steinert. While Steinert has been part of the summer Aqua Pups program for several years, Regehr and Trost are both new swimmers.
“Obviously this is a building year for the team,” Fisher said. “My goal is to get state qualifying times in at least our 200 Medley relay and 200 Free relay to add to Goodson’s individual races and possible races for Richter.”
Wrestlers bring youth
Much like the swim team, Bullpup wrestling coach Doug Kretzer saw a number of his varsity athletes graduate at the end of last year, which leaves a number of opportunities for younger wrestlers to step up.
Kretzer does return four from last year’s varsity roster, including senior Kaden Kretzer, who took fifth at state two years ago. Both he and fellow senior Travis Steenson both went to the state meet last year, but did not place.
“I think both of those guys are in line to have a really good season,” Kretzer said. “Both are tough and both are going into the right weight class for them to really make some noise.”
Kretzer also expects Alex Boswell, who only wrestled half of last season, to step up, as well as Ethan Fowler and Todd Graber.
“We’ve got a good crop of freshmen and a sophomore that’s wrestled for a long time,” Kretzer said. “We’ll be young, but these guys will wrestle hard.”
MHS begins their season on Dec. 6 with a dual meet against Andale at home beginning at 6 p.m.
Girls eye repeat
McPherson High returns five starters from last year’s Class 4A state basketball championship team, including the highly decorated Katelyn Loecker.
Coach Chris Strathman’s team last season went 25-1 on their way to the title, and he says the experience coming back will help them build and develop the Bullpups’ bench play.
Loecker leads a senior class that also includes Hailey Ruder, a five-foot-seven All-AVCTL second team guard, and five-foot-nine forward Madison Lackey.
Strathman also expects big performances this season from juniors Janae Barnes and Moira Pyle.
The 2012-2013 campaign begins this Friday for McPherson, as they travel to Salina Central High School.
A more in-depth look at the Bullpups can be found in our Basketball Preview included with today’s Sentinel.
Pups have experience
Kurt Kinnamon, entering his 18th year as head coach of the Bullpups, is looking to improve upon last year’s 18-6 record.
He brings back two starters in 6-foot-5 senior Keaton Sorenson and 5-foot-10 sophomore Kyler Kinnamon, who, between them, accounted for 12 points per game last season.
Also returning for MHS will be seniors Marcus Houghton and Alex Bahr, as well as juniors Keshawn Sewell and Ryan and Peter Horton.
The Bullpups will shift divisions within the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League, as they move to Division III this season alongside familiar foes like Buhler and Winfield. New teams include Rose Hill and Mulvane.
McPherson opens it’s season this Friday night at Salina Central.
A more in-depth preview of the Bullpups can be found in our Basketball Preview included in today’s Sentinel.

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